UPDATE to LOST POWER in BATOR, now WHAT?!!!

[ADozenGirlz]

My eggs had been in the 'bator for 11 days and all 5 eggs were growing beautifully when the power went out yesterday (car accident cut the utility pole in half in front of our house. See photo below). I think the power was out for a total of an hour before I could get the incubator to my neighbor's house (he has a generator!). When he plugged it back in, the temp was 79 degrees. Anyone have any experience with power loss at this stage of development? Is there anything I should be looking for in candeling the eggs or will it just be a question of waiting untilt they hatch (or not)? Thanks for your input!

 

[Revelle]

Just keep trying to get the temperature up and stabilized. I've heard they can go without a running incubator for a half hour and be perfectly fine. If it only went down to 79, the eggs should have a slightly higher internal temperature. It might delay the hatch a little bit, but its much better than a heat spike.

 

[debilorrah]

OOPS - I didn;t read the whole post. You should be fine if it was only for a little while. Remember that chickens get off their clutches for food and water at times.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
That's true. That gives me some hope.

 

[bargain]

Keep the faith up! The air may have registered that cool but their egg temp is warmer.....

Praying for a successful hatch for you and glad no one was injured in that crash

 

[J3172]

They should be fine if it was only an hour, if you think that is bad I've lost power for 3 days while I had my incubator going and had a 0% hatch rate because of it. That when I decided to buy some bantams lol.

 

[paddock36]

The bulb burned out on me twice during my last batch of eggs and both times the temp went down in the 70's. They still hatched. I was told to worry more if the temp gets to high.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Good news to report: All FIVE EE/BR eggs HATCHED despite the power loss! WHEW! AND, they hatched on day 20 nonetheless! Here's a picture of two of the newest flock members, Laverne & Shirley: